AKP's Oktay responds to claims of tension with Minister Fidan's team: 'Dialogues in a sincere environment'

In the latest meeting of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) Foreign Affairs Committee, it was alleged that Committee Chair and AKP Ankara Deputy Fuat Oktay lashed out at Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's deputies and ministry bureaucrats with harsh expressions. According to a report by DW Türkçe, it was claimed that Oktay found the presentations insufficient and told the ministry delegation, “You come here unprepared.” 

Making a statement regarding the allegations, Oktay confirmed the remarks while claiming they were ‘distorted.’

In a social media post, Oktay wrote:

“The reports alleging tension between our TBMM Foreign Affairs Committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which have been featured in certain media outlets by citing a foreign-based media organization as a source, should absolutely not be given any credence.

Our Minister of Foreign Affairs, our relevant Deputy Ministers, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials always provide very valuable contributions to our Committee.

Our entire Committee, including the opposition, has expressed their appreciation and gratitude to them at every opportunity.

While we are going through very critical days in the global and regional arena, I leave it to the public's discretion that the dialogues occurring in a sincere working environment within our Committee are being intentionally distorted and reported by certain circles...

Our relationship with our Minister of Foreign Affairs is not limited to being colleagues; it is based on an ancient friendship.

We are the team of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. I am addressing those who have different expectations: 

"YOU WON'T GET ANYTHING OUT OF US!"”